: I'm caring for a friends house who had taking an extended vacation. Her water softener makes a continuous ticking on top. I unplugged it for now . could it be lack of salt? Never owned one myself. thanks

Many softener and/or filter control valves "tick", or make a somewhat grinding noise, it's the motor and gearing. Plug it back in. If you don't and it's in a regeneration you will lose water pressure and water will overflow the brine tank, run to drain, backwash the resin out of the tank, run the well dry or the water bill sky high etc..

Plug it in and check on it over the next few hours (3-4) and if it does nothing else it's ok.